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LaDainian Tomlinson: A fantasy stud even if his numbers drop significantly
Filed under: AFC West, Projections, Strategy, NFL, Footballguys, History, RB, Fantasy, Stats, Chargers — Jason Wood @ 2:40 pm
LaDainian Tomlinson destroyed the NFL record books last year, and in the process, single-handedly led many fantasy owners to their league titles. If you’re reading this blog, I’m sure you’re well aware of Tomlinson’s remarkable 2006 season totals.
348 rushes (2nd in NFL)
1,815 yards (1st in NFL, 17th best all-time)
28 rushing TDs (1st in NFL, 1st all-time)
56 receptions (7th among RBs)
508 yards (5th among RBs)
3 receiving TDs (T-2nd among RBs)
2,323 yards from scrimmage (2nd in NFL, 6th best all-time)
31 TDs (1st all-time)
In the process, he scored 427.10 fantasy points (using FBG scoring), which easily ranks as the best single-season in fantasy football history:
Rank Name Year Yards TDs FantPts
1 LaDainian Tomlinson 2006 2323 31 427.1
2 Marshall Faulk 2000 2189 26 374.9
3 Priest Holmes 2003 2110 27 373.0
4 Priest Holmes 2002 2287 24 372.7
5 Emmitt Smith 1995 2148 25 364.8
6 Shaun Alexander 2005 1958 28 363.8
7 O.J. Simpson 1975 2243 23 362.3
8 Terrell Davis 1998 2225 23 360.5
9 Ahman Green 2003 2250 20 345.0
10 LaDainian Tomlinson 2003 2370 17 344.1
11 Eric Dickerson 1983 2212 20 341.2
12 Marshall Faulk 2001 2147 21 340.7
13 Edgerrin James 2000 2303 18 338.3
14 Larry Johnson 2005 2093 21 335.3
15 Larry Johnson 2006 2199 19 333.9
16 Steven Jackson 2006 2334 16 329.4
17 Ricky Williams 2002 2216 17 323.6
18 Barry Sanders 1997 2358 14 319.8
19 Emmitt Smith 1992 2048 19 318.8
20 LaDainian Tomlinson 2005 1832 20 317.6
21 Edgerrin James 1999 2139 17 315.9
22 Marcus Allen 1985 2314 14 315.4
23 Marshall Faulk 1999 2429 12 314.9
24 Emmitt Smith 1994 1825 22 314.5
25 Jim Brown 1965 1872 21 313.2
Coming off that monster season, it’s not surprising that LT is the consensus #1 overall fantasy pick for 2007. But inevitably there are going to be those handful of league owners who when faced with the #1 pick are going to try to talk themselves out of drafting LT. The most common argument I’ve heard from contrarians is, “he can’t possibly duplicate last year’s numbers.”
I will agree that it’s HIGHLY UNLIKELY he’ll duplicate last year’s numbers. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say it’s unlikely he’s COME CLOSE to those numbers. You’re talking about a historical season, after all.
But here’s why LT should, barring injury, still be the lock, no-brainer #1 overall fantasy pick. EVEN IF HIS PRODUCTION DROPS OFF SIGNIFICANTLY, HE WILL STILL BE A FANTASY STUD.
Consider where Tomlinson would have ranked over the last five years under two scenarios:
Scenario A) 20% reduction from 2006 numbers = 341.7 fantasy points
Scenario B) 40% reduction from 2006 numbers = 256.3 fantasy points
Year A) 20% Drop B) 40% Drop
2006 RB1 RB6
2005 RB2 RB6
2004 RB1 RB7
2003 RB4 RB8
2002 RB2 RB9
Average RB2 RB7.2
Even if Tomlinson were to shave 20% of of last year’s numbers, he’s still a virtual lock for top 2-3 production. And under a more extreme scenario, where he shaves 40% off of his record-setting numbers, he STILL would be in line for a top-7 fantasy finish. HIGH CEILING, HIGH FLOOR = A no brainer. Do yourself a favor and don’t talk yourself into taking someone other than LT with the 1st overall pick this year.
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